Pavarotti’s widow tells Trump to stop using Nessun Dorma at rallies

Nicoletta Mantovani warns Republican presidential candidate: ‘The values of brotherhood that Luciano Pavarotti upheld throughout his career are incompatible with the world vision of Donald Trump.’

Pavarotti’s estate has joined the ever-lengthening list of artists who have asked US presidential candidate Donald Trump to stop using their music at campaign rallies.

Nessun Dorma, sung by Luciano Pavarotti, has been used extensively by Trump on the campaign trail, but the final straw appears to have been last week’s Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio.

Pavarotti’s widow, Nicoletta Mantovani, and three of his daughters have released a statement saying: "We learned today that the aria 'Nessun dorma' performed by Luciano Pavarotti is being used [on] the Donald Trump campaign soundtrack.

"As members of his immediate family, we remind you that the values of brotherhood and solidarity that Luciano Pavarotti upheld throughout his artistic career are incompatible with the world vision of the candidate Donald Trump.”

‘Nessun Dorma’ is an aria from Puccini’s opera Turandot and became Pavarotti’s signature aria. Even nearly a decade after his death from pancreatic cancer in 2007, it is the piece of music most associated with Pavarotti.

The list of artists, or estates of artists, who have requested Trump not use their music is lengthening by the day. Adele, the Rolling Stones, R.E.M. and the estate of George Harrison of the Beatles.

Although politicians in the US do not have to seek permission from artists to use their music as long as they pay a royalty fee, artists can still specifically ask for their music not to be used – or sue the politician, if use of the song implies the musician supports the politician. For more on the legal arguments, check out this excellent article in the New York Times .